Journalists Protest Use Of Biometric Card In Lagos NUJ Election

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Over 1000 journalists have expressed displeasure over the resolve of National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to adopt the use of biometric cards as voters’ eligibility during the forthcoming Lagos Council Election.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Dr. Qasim Akinreti Campaign Organization gave the hint at a press conference held on Wednesday at the NUJ Secretariat, Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Alausa, Lagos.

The campaign organization also raised an alarm over plans by some people at the National Secretariat of the Union in Abuja and their collaborators to derail the electoral process of the Lagos NUJ.

It alleged that part of the plans is to manipulate the electoral process to the point that Journalists will protest and the National Secretariat will cash in on the protest to install a Caretaker Committee, which is alien to the Constitution of the Union.

The organization therefore, warned those behind the plan to jettison it, just as it vowed to resist every attempt to impose an illegal Caretaker Committee on the Lagos Council of the Union.

While addressing the press, Director General of the organization, Mr. Fabian Anawo, disclosed that about 1000 journalists have signed a written petition to the National Secretariat of the NUJ protesting the use of biometric cards for the forthcoming election in Lagos slated for Tuesday, 29th September 2020.

Anawo said the use of biometric cards for election is an aberration, stressing that it is not recognised by the NUJ Constitution.
While not averse to the idea of Biometric Identity Cards for Journalists, Anawo asserted that it was only meant to enable the Union have a good data base of its members and not for election purpose.

Tracing the genesis of the card, the Campaign DG said it was introduced in 2017 and made compulsory in the election in order to make journalists buy into the idea.

Anawo claimed that the card was however, not used in the election that brought the incumbent President of the Union, Chris Isiguzo, to office in 2018, querying why it should be made compulsory in Lagos again.

P.M.EXPRESS could not reach the National body of the NUJ as at the time of reporting.